The Leftover Breakfast Item That Gives Pork Ribs 10x More Flavor

From the boil-then-grill method for tender ribs to incorporating vinegar to solve dry ribs, there are plenty of tips for cooking the best pork ribs. But one of the most flavorful ways to get the kind of meaty goodness that will have everyone asking for more is to use a simple leftover breakfast item that you might otherwise discard: bacon grease.

Often pitmasters and home cooks use butter or oils when they're grilling and smoking ribs. Not only can those ingredients help dry rubs stick to the meat, but they also introduce more fat into the equation, making the meat even moister. By using bacon grease, you can achieve both of those goals while also adding salty, smoky, umami seasoning that will boost flavor ten times more than butter or oil.

To make drool-worthy bacon-y pork ribs, slather them with the fat prior to applying your dry rub, then baste them hourly throughout the smoking or grilling process. For more flavor, you can add a variety of other ingredients to your basting sauce, including Worcestershire, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, or spices. Alternatively, incorporate bacon grease once the ribs are partially cooked. This way, you can apply dollops of the cooled fat to aluminum foil, along with any other sweet or savory seasonings, place the pork ribs on top, and wrap it before returning it to the grill. This way it finishes cooking in the bacon fat. Finally, to make them into a bacon-kissed masterpiece, swirl the grease into your BBQ sauce before slathering it on top.

Using bacon grease to enhance your pork ribs is fairly easy but what is the best way to store bacon grease? First, you'll need to choose the vessel to store it in. If you're refrigerating, opt for a glass jar with a lid. If you're freezing it, grab a handy ice cube tray or other container that's safe for freezer storage. Next, allow the grease to cool slightly. The amount of time it takes you to eat breakfast will likely be enough to ensure it's pourable, but not still hot. Then, simply strain it into your chosen container to remove any remaining bacon pieces. Pop it in your fridge or freezer and — voilà — you have fatty goodness that will last at least three months.

If you find yourself with an abundance of bacon grease, you can also use it to enhance plenty of popular sides that go with pork ribs. Try giving your mashed potatoes much more flavor, stir it into baked beans, or use it in your favorite collard greens recipe. You can even kick up your cornbread with it, too. Meanwhile, don't sleep on incorporating it into your desserts. Replace some or all of the butter in cookies for a unique twist or make an irresistible bacon-y caramel sauce to drizzle over cakes or ice cream. Finally, add a fat-washed old fashioned cocktail to the meal, and you'll have all your bacon bases covered.